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Australia Scurvy makes comeback

Scurvy is making a medical comeback; its resurgence has recently been reported in Australia.

The BBC has reported that the disease, better associated with malnourished sailors, has been diagnosed in as many as 12 diabetes patients in Westmead Hospital, West Sydney. The rare condition is caused by a lack of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, in your diet.

Detailed in the international journal Diabetic Medicine, the report indicates that scurvy can be found more widely than previously believed. However, as Australian authorities rarely test for scurvy, there are few statistics on the number of patients suffering with it.

Doctors say that the disease is easily prevented simply by eating some fruit and vegetables each day.